it is midnight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is midnight" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to state the time at which it is currently midnight. Example: "I looked at my watch and saw that it is midnight. I should probably head to bed soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Instead, say "il est midi" for "It is noon" and say "il est minuit" for "it is midnight".

WikiHow

It is midnight on a Wednesday night.

Stanford University

Do you read happy books?' "It is midnight.

The New York Times - Books

When it is midnight in California — 3 a.m. in Washington — they will keep on.

The Washington Post

It is midnight on a warm midsummer's night in Mayfair, central London.

The Guardian

It is "midnight within the moral order," Dr. King once wrote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Usually it is night.

The New Yorker

It is night.

The Guardian

Yes, sir, it is morning in Saudi Arabia.

The New York Times

It is tonight; it was not Monday night.

The New York Times

It is afternoon.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is midnight" to clearly and directly state that the current time is midnight. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it is midnight" when you mean to say it is close to midnight (e.g., 11:55 PM) or shortly after (e.g., 12:05 AM). Be precise with your time references to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it is midnight" is to state the current time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used for this purpose. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its direct and simple use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is midnight" serves as a clear and common way to indicate that the current time is midnight. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The phrase is versatile, suitable for various registers, and primarily used to state the time directly. While common in news, media, and general conversation, its purpose is primarily informational. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the time to avoid confusion. For alternative expressions, consider options like "midnight has arrived" or "it's twelve am" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's twelve am

Uses a more concise form with "it's" instead of "it is" and specifies "am" to explicitly indicate midnight.

The hour is midnight

Rephrases to focus on the hour being at midnight.

Midnight has arrived

Shifts the focus to the arrival of midnight as an event.

We've reached midnight

Highlights the reaching or attainment of midnight.

The clock strikes twelve

Emphasizes the striking of the clock at midnight, a more literary or figurative expression.

It is the middle of the night

Describes midnight to be in the middle of the night

It is the start of a new day

Describes that midnight represents the start of a new day.

It is the witching hour

Introduces a more evocative and less literal phrase to describe midnight, implying a time of heightened supernatural activity.

The bewitching hour is here

Uses a more mysterious way to say that midnight has arrived

The day is over

Implies that midnight has passed and therefore the day is over

FAQs

How can I use "it is midnight" in a sentence?

You can use "it is midnight" to state the current time, such as, "I checked my watch and realized "it is midnight", time for bed."

What's a more descriptive way to say "it is midnight"?

Instead of saying "it is midnight", you could use phrases like "the witching hour is here" for a more evocative feel, or "the day is over" to mark the end of the day.

Is it correct to say "it's midnight" instead of "it is midnight"?

Yes, "it's midnight" is a perfectly acceptable contraction of "it is midnight" and is commonly used in both speech and writing. The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

What does "midnight has arrived" imply compared to "it is midnight"?

"Midnight has arrived" emphasizes the occurrence of midnight as an event, while "it is midnight" simply states the current time. The former is more dramatic, the latter more informational.